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Ipswich at front line of Defence Industry

The official signing of a $5 billion landmark defence deal will see Redbank as headquarters for manufacturing a new generation of vehicles for the Australian Army.

Rheinmetall Defence Australia and the Australian Government have now signed the LAND 400 Phase 2 contract for an order of 211 Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, marking the final tick of approval for work to begin on building the vehicles.

While the first 25 vehicles will be built in Rheinmetall’s German factory, the remaining vehicles plus 12 extra modules such as ambulance modules will be built in Queensland through a new Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence and RDA’s Australia-New Zealand headquarters to be built at Redbank Industrial Estate.

Ipswich is at the front line of defence industry with an inaugural Defence Industry Summit on Tuesday, 20 November, 2018.

The one day summit, to be hosted by council at the USQ Springfield Central campus, will bring together all levels of government and industry to engage on defence industry strategies, projects and opportunities.

Economic Development and Digital City Committee chairman Cr Paul Tully said the summit is of national significance and will strengthen Ipswich’s position as a preferred location for defence industry support and manufacturing.

Cr Tully said the morning sessions will include discussion on procurement process, sustainment practices, and building a regional Defence industry, while the afternoon would feature innovation and technology in Defence, SME interactions with Defence contractors and major service providers and strategic insight on Defence export.

“The day will also feature a keynote address, presentations, and panel discussions from experts in their respective fields,” Cr Tully said.

Defence industries in Ipswich are worth about $800 million in sales, $600 million in exports and accounts for 20 per cent of Queensland’s total defence employment.

Acting Mayor Wayne Wendt said it is one of the key initiatives under the city’s Defence Industry Strategy supported by the City of Ipswich Defence Industry Attraction Committee (CIDIAC), an advisory body with representatives from Ipswich City Council, Queensland Government, Australian Defence Force, universities and industry.

“This is a unique opportunity to network with key decision makers in the defence industry, gain insight on capability development to access integrated logistics and sustainment projects,” Cr Wendt said.

The summit – supported by council and the Australia Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) – is expected to attract between 250 and 300 delegates.

 

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